1. IASPA Tenth Annual Conference Licensure Update
Shirley Bloom
North Cook ISC / ROE 5
January 26, 2017

2. Overview Recent Changes Upcoming Changes
Where to Find Stuff – The Nut’s and Bolt’s
FAQ’s and ROE/ISC Processes
Miscellaneous Info
Questions / Answers

3. Recent Changes NCLB replaced with ESSA – Most implementation 2017
No more Highly Qualified
ELS PARA still required for Paraprofessionals in Title1
Anyone who holds any type of license and who holds a Bachelor’s Degree can be employed as a substitute teacher.
Includes Paraprofessionals and Career and Technical Educators
edTPA versus APT
Illinois students need to take the edTPA during student teaching. (9/1/15)
New Out-of-State applicants
Option for either test
edTPA can be waived with one year of teaching experience and acceptable performance evaluation (form 80-01)

4. 5th Grade teachers do not need the Middle School Endorsement
Paraprofessionals
No longer need a copy of a HS diploma if they have 60 semester hours
Need HS diploma/transcript if using WorkKeys or ETS ParaPro
Most ACT WorkKeys Tests are $60 to $65
Triton College in River Grove offers ACT WorkKeys test free though a State Grant.
5th Grade teachers do not need the Middle School Endorsement
Departmentalized or Self-Contained
Middle School teachers teaching two subjects
Must be fully qualified in major area of assignment
Can teach a minor area with 6 semester hours of coursework

5. Upcoming Changes Middle Grade Endorsements effective February 1, 2018
Junior High or Middle School endorsed teachers will still be qualified!!!
Senate Bill 2912 / Public Act (Effective 1/6/17)
CTE’s and CTEP’s can take the ACT WorkKeys test (Basic Skills)
Removes Requirement for Substitutes to take a test of Basic Skills for license renewal
Waives content tests as well as basic skills test
No expiration date for any test

6. Adds language that allows for out-of-state teachers or SSP’s to apply ONLY if they hold a valid and comparable out-of-state license.
Changed Application fee to $50 for Substitute Teaching License
Adds language clarifying that retired educators complete a pro-rated amount of PD if they retired in the midst of a renewal cycle
Adds language through December 31, 2017 regarding a retired educator to reinstate a lapsed license.

7. Where to Find Stuff – Nuts and Bolts
ISBE –
Educator Licensure
Redesigned Web Page December, 2016
How-to Videos
License and Endorsement Requirements
Forms
Webinars
Directory of Illinois State Approved Educator Prep Programs
FAQ’s

8. School Code – Licensure
Section 21B
Qualifications
Fees
Types of licenses
How many days can a substitute work during a school year
Endorsements
Testing
License Renewal
Suspensions and Revocations

9. Illinois Administrative Rules
Rules Currently in Effect
Part 1 – Public School Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision
Qualifications for Assignability
Part 25 – Educator Licensure
Qualifications for Endorsements
Part 226 – Special Education
Requirements for licensed and non-licensed educators
Non licensed examples include license through IDFPR
Part 228 – Transitional Bilingual Education
Part 50 – Evaluation of Educator Licensed Employees (Article 24A)

10. Proposed Rules and Amendments
Can be amended by ISBE internally as long as there is no conflict to State Statute (School Code)
Must post proposed rules when new las is passed
Example – SB2912
Passed 11/16/2016
Once signed by the Governor, it becomes law (PA /6/17)
Proposed rules to implement the law will be posted for public comment for 60 days.
All comments reviewed and responded to at State Board Meeting
Adopted by State Board
JCAR review
Rules implemented

11. FAQ’s and ROE / ISC Processes
Transcripts
ISBE can take up to a month to upload transcripts so it is much faster to send official transcripts to your ROE / ISC
Transcripts do not need to be resent once they are on file
Only official sealed transcripts or electronic transcripts sent directly from the university are acceptable
Educators can confirm their transcripts have been uploaded by viewing their images section in ELIS

12. Information about my license
Name or Gender Change
Only ROEs, ISCs and ISBE can change a name or gender
We need an official document such as a drivers license, SS card or marriage certificate, plus an IEIN
Information about my license
Educators can print their credentials page as proof of licensure and endorsements
There are no License Numbers
Once a License application has been evaluated, ISBE will not issue a refund
Out-of-State educators can apply for multiple endorsements by sending additional requests to
Educators can access a deficiency letter in ELIS the day after the evaluation has been completed

13. License Renewal
Check to make sure that the PD / Employment Status is correct
Check to see how much PD is owed
Varied depending on type of endorsement employed on
Enter required PD for current renewal cycle
No required timeline for entering PD
Can renew anytime beginning April 1st
No reductions in required PD for advanced degrees (2019)
Beginning with renewals in 2017 – Can begin to accumulate PD for next renewal cycle once license is renewed
Teachers or SSP’s holding an administrative endorsement but not working on it will need one administrative academy for renewal beginning in 2019 (first full 5 year renewal cycle after July 1, 2014)
Semester hours counted as 1 SH equals 15 hours of PD
Out-of-State coursework can only be used if school district approves it

14. Miscellaneous Info
ISBE is currently taking up to 3 weeks on substitute and paraprofessional applications
ISBE is currently taking about 1 1/2 months on PEL and endorsement applications
School districts can request an expedited review on any application IF all documents are on file, including the application
Encourage Educators to use a personal address when setting up their ELIS account
ESL / Bilingual Approvals didn’t all transfer to Endorsements
Reinstatement Coursework currently September 1, 2011

15. Questions and Answers